Posts tagged 'Continuing Education for Trigger Point Therapy'

Sadly, too many therapists remain out of the loop, when it comes to understanding trigger points. In the case of some (mostly PT's, but others included) there is still a tremendous cynicism. This is generally because these therapists have received a negatively biased education, and have somehow avoided the opportunities to learn and explore trigger point therapy first hand.

For anyone willing to take the time to piece it all together, there is plenty of freely available research to support trigger point therapy. Mainstream acceptance of trigger point therapy has grown rapidly in recent years. We're committed to playing our part to push for the introduction of trigger point therapy as a standard teaching requirement for all manual therapists.

In todays trigger point blog we take a deeper look at where trigger points come from.

Greetings from Pressure Positive! In this issue of Muscle News, we'll learn to evaluate and treat a shoulder muscle that has a bad reputation for causing head pain, so much so it has earned the nickname "The Migraine Maker." This issue is a "must read" for anyone who experiences headaches!

About 75% of the time, pain is caused by trigger points. Pain syndromes cannot be treated effectively without identifying and treating trigger points, since about 74% of trigger points are remote to where your patient feels symptoms. Trigger points usually refer pain in fairly consistent patterns, and you can use “pain guides” to figure out which muscles may potentially harbor trigger points causing pain and other symptoms.Trigger points are caused and perpetuated by poor ergonomics, injuries, structural problems, and several medical conditions. Resolution of these perpetuating factors is crucial to relieving trigger points. Tips will be given for incorporating trigger point treatments into existing practices.

Title:

Understanding Trigger Points

Date:

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Time:

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Trigger Point Author and Instructor to Speak at Conferences, West Coast Seminar Tour Fall 2012

(Anchorage, AK) April 4, 2012: Author and continuing education instructor Valerie DeLaune will be presenting on trigger points at three conferences in 2012.

According to DeLaune, “Around 75% of pain is caused by trigger points; yet in spite of decades of research, it is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in medicine. I’d like to change that by heightening awareness through magazine articles, books, and courses for health care professionals.” She will be speaking at the American Massage Therapy Association Washington Convention in Tacoma in April, the World Massage Conference in June (a web-based conference), and the Northwest Symposium in Portland, Oregon, also in June.

Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscles that feel like “knots” or tight bands. About 74% of the time, trigger points “refer” pain to a different area -- they are not located within the area in which a patient is actually feeling symptoms, so treating the area of pain does not afford relief. For example, if someone has pain in their hand and fingers, it is probably being referred from trigger points in muscles in their neck, shoulder area, or forearm. Pain and other symptoms can be relieved if the trigger point is treated with pressure or other techniques.

DeLaune says “People live with a lot more pain than they need to. There really is a lot they can do to help themselves, and become informed about their options for treatments. The earlier the intervention in a painful condition, the more likely the degree and duration of pain can be reduced or eliminated.”

DeLaune will also be touring West Coast States Fall 2012 teaching seminars for health care professionals in Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.